PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Tugboat Printshop presents Pretty Pictures at Future Tenant December 9th through January.
by Hannah Sams Monday, Dec. 05, 2011 at 2:24 AM
hannahsams@gmail.com (email address validated) (412)296-2332

Tugboat Printshop’s work ranges in theme from idyllic naturescapes and do-it-yourself living to a stylized series of sea creatures and an extremely patriotic vision of the United States. All of these themes will be represented through raw woodblocks and finished prints lining the walls of Future Tenant.

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Tugboat Printshop presents Pretty Pictures at Future Tenant December 9th through January.

Tugboat Printshop will have on display a large collection of complex color woodblock prints, along with select examples of the blocks of wood printed to make their images. All of the blocks are collaboratively designed, drawn, carved, and printed by Paul Roden and Valerie Lueth, the couple behind Tugboat Printshop.

The exhibit will also feature the Pop-up Street Shop used by Tugboat Printshop as its mobile storefront. In an effort to reach more people, Paul and Valerie set up this substantial, yet collapsible, wooden gallery at street fairs throughout the country.

Tugboat Printshop woodblock prints are generally printed from multiple color blocks and range in theme from idyllic naturescapes and do-it-yourself living, to a stylized series of sea creatures and an extremely patriotic vision of the United States ("America the Beautiful," most recently on display at the Society of Contemporary Craft's DIY: A Revolution in Handicrafts
exhibition). Part of the original notion behind Tugboat Printshop is that directly engaging the public with the opportunity to own original artwork increases their interest and participation in the arts. Lueth and Roden's original woodcuts are well suited to this idea as they suggest an appealing ideal for many people.

The entire process of making a living as artists will be on display at 'Pretty Pictures'-- from the carved blocks to the framed finished prints, as well as the intermediate presentation of prints packaged and displayed for sale by the couple in their handbuilt pop-up shop. For the opportunity to purchase Tugboat Printshop prints in person, visit the gallery during the opening on December 9th or during First Night festivities in Downtown Pittsburgh on December 31. The couple also offers further explanation of their endeavors and their available wares for sale online at http://www.tugboatprintshop.com.

For more information about Future Tenant and gallery hours, please visit futuretenant.org.

Future Tenant is a non-profit art space located in downtown Pittsburgh at 819 Penn Avenue dedicated to showcasing the work of emerging artists through exhibitions that offer a cutting edge perspective on the Pittsburgh art scene.

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www.futuretenant.org